Yuan Shu was also very interested in Cai Yong, the great literary figure whose name would be remembered for generations. He quietly spoke to the system:
"System, quickly check Cai Yong's attributes."
"Ding-dong! System has received the request and is now retrieving Cai Yong's attributes.
Query successful:
Talent Name: Cai Yong
Cai Yong's Attributes:
Martial Strength: 21, Leadership: 45, Intelligence: 75, Politics: 82, Charisma: 68, Luck: 55
Special Attribute: Confucianism: 96
Cai Yong's Skills:
Scholarship: When researching academic subjects, Intelligence increases by 10 points, and the difficulty of the subject is reduced by 50%.
Teaching: When instructing students, Intelligence increases by 10 points, and students' learning efficiency is doubled.
Yuan Shu looked at Cai Yong's attributes. How should he put it? As expected of a great Confucian scholar—he was perfectly capable of both teaching students and conducting research.
Moreover, he had a certain level of political ability, making him a decent official in the court.
However, an Intelligence score of 75 was clearly insufficient for a strategist.
So when his father, Yuan Feng, claimed that Cai Yong was well-versed in military strategy and tactics, Yuan Shu could only chuckle.
As for skills like playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, Yuan Shu believed Cai Yong was truly proficient in them, but what use were those skills, really?
Yuan Shu no longer had high hopes for what he could gain from Cai Yong.
Cai Yong invited Yuan Feng and Yuan Shu into his main hall. After the host and guests were seated, he prepared for Yuan Shu to formally perform the disciple's ceremony.
In ancient times, apprenticeship was a solemn matter, as the saying went: "A teacher for a day, a father for life."
Under Yuan Feng's witness, Yuan Shu performed the traditional ceremony, offering tea to Cai Yong, thus officially becoming his disciple.
Yuan Feng would ensure that this news spread throughout Luoyang as quickly as possible, helping to improve the reputation of his wayward son.
After all, Xu Shao's criticism of Yuan Shu had been far too harsh.
With the ceremony completed, Yuan Feng took his leave, leaving Cai Yong to educate Yuan Shu. Matters between master and disciple were not for him to interfere in.
"Ding-dong! The system has detected that Cai Yong has not genuinely accepted the host."
"Cai Yong is a great Confucian scholar of this era. Gaining his recognition is highly beneficial for increasing the host's reputation."
"The system now issues a timed main quest:
Gain the approval of the great Confucian Cai Yong and become his most prized disciple!
Quest Rewards: 10 Attribute Points, 5000 Reputation, and the complete process of Basic Steel Forging.
Quest Failure Penalty: A random deduction of 20 Attribute Points.
Time Limit: One hour."
This notification from the system shocked Yuan Shu.
What the hell? He had just felt relieved that his long-term mission had become easier, and now a timed mission popped up!
One hour?! Were they trying to kill him?!
However, the rewards were just as tempting—steel forging techniques! Yuan Shu was drooling at the thought.
Fortune favors the bold—he had to do it!
Not that he had a choice. There was no backing out of a timed mission, so Yuan Shu had no option but to push forward.
Just as Yuan Shu was contemplating how to complete the mission within an hour, Cai Yong said to him:
"Gonglu, follow me to the study."
"Yes, Master." Yuan Shu nodded and obediently followed Cai Yong to the study.
Cai Yong's study was quite unique. At the front was a large desk, with his own seat positioned behind it.
Directly across from him were four small tables, each with a seat underneath.
Looking around, Yuan Shu thought that rather than a study, this place was more like a small private school.
Cai Yong took his seat at the main desk and gestured for Yuan Shu to sit as well.
Once Yuan Shu was seated, Cai Yong spoke:
"Gonglu, you are now my disciple, and also the son of my dear friend. We are not strangers. Why don't you tell me about your conduct in Luoyang these past years? Is there some difficulty that you haven't been able to speak about?"
To be honest, Cai Yong found Yuan Shu's notorious behavior quite perplexing.
His father, Yuan Feng, was an unquestionably virtuous and loyal official—one of the Han dynasty's finest ministers, even considered a pillar of the nation.
His mother, Lady Wang, was a refined and educated noblewoman, well-versed in etiquette.
How could these two have raised a son as reckless as Yuan Shu? Cai Yong was deeply curious.
If Yuan Shu could explain himself, then perhaps he could tailor his teaching accordingly.
Yuan Shu thought to himself: Old man, if you're asking me like this, isn't this my golden opportunity to complete the mission?
From what he knew from later historical records, this old man was extremely rigid.
Because of his extraordinary talent, he often felt underappreciated.
He also had a habit of harshly criticizing government policies.
If Yuan Shu's response didn't satisfy him, it might trigger a strong backlash—and worse, he could end up complaining to Yuan Feng.
The relationship between the father and son had just begun to ease, so it wouldn't be good to let Cai Yong add more fuel to the fire.
It would be best if his response could resonate with Cai Yong, making it easier to fool him.
Moreover, if he could make Cai Yong feel that they were the same kind of person, gaining his approval would be much easier.
Thinking of this, Yuan Shu suddenly laughed aloud and said:
"The world is drunk, yet I alone am sober. The world is filthy, yet I alone remain pure. The world is like this, what else can I do?"
When Cai Yong heard these words, he was shocked and secretly thought, "Good thing I asked. There is indeed a hidden story behind this."
"The world is drunk, yet I alone am sober?" This boy speaks with a certain literary flair—these words are not something a mere hedonistic wastrel could come up with.
Yuan Shu's two sentences struck a deep chord within him, making him eager to understand Yuan Shu's thoughts.
So he walked up to Yuan Shu and softly asked:
"Gonglu, what do you mean by this?"
Yuan Shu secretly glanced at Cai Yong and thought, "As expected, he took the bait. Now, I'll hit him with something even harder."
Instead of answering Cai Yong directly, he countered with a question:
"Master, what do you think of the current state of the imperial court?"
At the mention of politics, Cai Yong's face immediately darkened.
This Yuan Shu really knew how to touch on sore subjects.
What was there to say about the state of the court?
The emperor was incompetent, corrupt officials were in power, and the people were suffering. The Han court had long since rotted beyond repair.
But despite knowing this, Cai Yong couldn't say it outright.
After some contemplation, he replied:
"The Son of Heaven is present in the palace, and the affairs of state are solely decided by His Majesty.
As a descendant of the Yuan family, who has long received the grace of the imperial court, you should focus on diligent study so that you may serve the emperor in the future. How can you recklessly discuss court affairs?"
Cai Yong's words were proper and faultless, but Yuan Shu knew him well enough to understand that this was not his true sentiment.
Looking at Cai Yong sincerely, Yuan Shu said:
"Master, is this truly what you believe? Do you yourself agree with what you just said?
The court is now dominated by eunuchs and sycophants. Where is there any place for a man of integrity like you?
Even if I were to excel in my studies, I would only end up like you—unaccepted by these treacherous officials.
That's why I would rather tarnish my own reputation and be seen as an ignorant wastrel than allow myself to be manipulated by those villains."
Hearing Yuan Shu's words, Cai Yong felt a deep sense of resonance.
He had often thought about resigning from his position, yet his concern for the nation had always held him back.
So Yuan Shu was not unambitious—he simply refused to conform to a corrupt world.
How could this Yuan Shu be a mere wastrel? He saw things more clearly than anyone else!
A sudden sense of pity welled up in Cai Yong's heart. He's still so young, yet he already feels the same helplessness that I do?
His impression of Yuan Shu changed from initial annoyance to seeing him as a kindred spirit despite their age difference.
Cai Yong sat down beside Yuan Shu and said warmly:
"Gonglu, is there anything I can do for you?"
Hearing this, Yuan Shu was secretly delighted.
It wasn't easy, but I finally tricked the old man into submission!
Now that his attitude had clearly improved, why hadn't the system prompted that the mission was complete?
Ah, I still need to go further—only by becoming his most favored disciple will it count.
So Yuan Shu responded very politely:
"Master, just the fact that you understand my feelings is already an overwhelming honor for me.
But I do have one small, presumptuous request.
The court is worsening by the day, and I have a group of like-minded friends with whom I frequently discuss ways to save the country.
Would you be willing to be a little lenient with my studies and grant me more free time?"